The Word: Jonathan Rhys Meyers is reportedly top casting choice for 'Star Wars'

Jonathan Rhys Meyers reportedly tops director J.J. Abrams's dream cast list for the next film in the "Star Wars" saga

Jonathan Rhys Meyers reportedly tops director J.J. Abrams' dream cast list for the next film in the "Star Wars"saga, according to E! Online.

If so, he would join old "Star Wars"hands Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, who played Luke, Han and Leia in the original trilogy. The Big Three, as I call them and no one else does, are reportedly already confirmed to make appearances in the new film.

Rhys Meyers, who previously starred in the historical drama "The Tudors," seems like an excellent heir to the shiny sword, following a long line of thick-necked man candy. In fact, he kind of looks like the love child of Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor. Well, this is a science fiction universe. That could well be his origin story. My only concern, really, is that he might be too good of an actor to fit in in the "Star Wars" universe.

“Star Wars: Episode VII,” to be directed by J.J. Abrams, is the first of three new “Star Wars” films announced by Disney in October 2012, when it purchased George Lucas’ Lucasfilm company for $4.05 billion.

Disney has said it will also produce a new “Star Wars” animated series to air on television in autumn 2014, giving fans of the science-fiction franchise fresh stories before the next live-action film hits theaters in 2015.